By Laura Scaletti
Portraits by Melissa Fuller
When it comes to finding success in the show ring, Parker Peacock believes equestrians need to stay patient and trust the process. “Success in the sport doesn’t happen overnight. It takes constant hard work, dedication and a willingness to learn from both success and setbacks,” Parker said. “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes—everyone makes them—and they are some of the best opportunities to learn and grow.”
Parker was able to put her belief into practice at her very first horse show. She entered the ring ready to make a splash, they did one trot circle, and her pony bucked and sent her flying. Fortunately, that didn’t put a damper on Parker’s passion for ponies and all things equestrian.
“I was so excited to begin showing. I think I might have been more competitive than I am now, and I was just in walk-trot. I’ve always been very serious about riding,” she said. “I think from the first time I sat on a horse, I knew that it was going to be my whole life. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.”
Parker isn’t just doing the sport; today she’s made her way to the top of the hunter, jumper and equitation rings. In 2025, Parker had a standout year in all three rings. Her highlights from 2025 include being Champion at Junior Hunter Finals-East in the 3’6” Large Junior Hunter 16–17 division, competing at her first NAYC, finishing second at USEF and Maclay Finals and winning the Kip Rosenthal Award for Equitation. This year is off to a great start, too: In February, Parker drove away with the win—and a brand-new Ford Explorer SUV—in the 2026 WEC Premier Equitation Cup Championship.
Red Clay Roots
Before all the ribbons and accolades, Parker was spending her days becoming infatuated with horses on her family’s Peacock Acres farm in Pfafftown, North Carolina. “A lifelong horsewoman, my mom introduced me to horses at a very young age, taking me to the barn and letting me help care for them, which sparked my love for riding. That early introduction has made it natural for me to fall in love with the sport and continue to grow as a rider,” she said.
Living on the farm cemented the idea that horses weren’t just an activity for Parker to participate in, but rather they would become her lifestyle. “It allowed me to develop a closer bond with my horses, since I had the opportunity to be around them at all hours of the day. There’s always something to do at the barn whether it’s riding, spending time with animals or hanging out with my friends,” Parker said.
Some of Parker’s favorite moments with horses are the quiet times at home going for hacks and bonding in the barn. “Those everyday moments are just as special as the big wins because they build trust and make the partnership even stronger. For me, it’s the combination of both competition and connection that makes riding so meaningful,” she said.
When Parker was 7 years old, she made a connection that would define her early years in the hunter ring. Parker met Tori Colvin when Tori conducted a clinic at Peacock Acres. Shortly thereafter, Parker began training full time with Tori.
“She taught me so many valuable lessons and had a huge impact on my development as a rider,” Parker said. “I’m forever grateful to her and her family for everything they did for me.”
Once paired up, the duo hit the ground running. Their first stop was the pony ring. “I was incredibly lucky to grow up with so many amazing ponies. One of my favorites was my pony CE Remarkable. We were reserve champion at Pony Finals and earned top ribbons at all the major indoor shows, which made our time together especially meaningful. He was my first real pony and took me to places I dreamed of going as a kid,” Parker said.
As Parker moved up to horses, Tori found her first Junior Hunter horse, Acclaim, in the jumper ring. “When we first bought him, he was just coming out of the jumper ring, so he was new to the Junior Hunter ring and so was I. Learning and growing together allowed us to build a stronger bond. I was fortunate to win multiple championships with him, like Capital Challenge and other finals, and we were 10th at the Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular, second in the stakes class at Washington and Harrisburg as well as being circuit champion twice at WEF in the 3’6” Juniors,” Parker said. “That partnership taught me the importance of trusting my team and growing alongside my horse.”
Being part of Acclaim’s transition from the jumper ring to the hunter ring taught Parker about the patience required when working with horses. “Progress can’t be rushed and every partnership develops on its own timeline,” she said.
Expanding Horizons
After years of focusing on the hunter ring, Parker was ready for a new challenge and wanted to tackle the equitation and jumper rings. In March 2023, she began working with the team at Ashland Farms and pushed herself outside of her comfort zone and into the jumper ring.
“I came from a background that was very focused on perfection and precision. The jumpers required me to ride more instinctively and make quicker decisions,” she said.
Parker admits transitioning into the jumper ring wasn’t always easy, but over time the challenge of having to think on her feet is what she’s learned to love the most. “My trainers encouraged me to take a risk and trust my abilities, even when things felt unfamiliar. Over time, I became more comfortable, pushing myself and embracing new challenges. Jumpers have taught me to trust myself, adapt in the moment and grow as a rider, which ultimately has made me more confident and shaped the rider I am today,” Parker said.
While Parker has learned to love turning and burning in the jumper ring, her favorite ring to compete in is the equitation ring. “It can be very challenging. I really enjoy challenging myself to try to master things that aren’t always easy. I see equitation as an incredible foundation for riding in bigger jumper classes down the road, as it teaches so many of the fundamentals that are essential for jumping harder and bigger tracks,” she said.
Ashland Farms’ Montverdi has played an important role in Parker’s equitation career as she’s taken that ring on by storm, much like her beloved Acclaim did in the hunter ring. “He was coming out of the jumper ring when Ken and Emily Smith decided to transition him into being an equitation horse. I was lucky enough to show him and immediately felt a strong connection,” Parker said. “He has so much talent and heart. Having a partner like him is truly an honor.”
It was aboard Montverdi that Parker placed second at the 2025 Maclay and USEF Medal Finals, fourth at the Gladstone Cup and won Maclay Regionals. “I was incredibly proud to deliver those results for my team and for Monte after all the time and effort everyone had put in. Being able to grow with him and share these experiences has taught me so much,” she said.
It was also aboard Montverdi that Parker won the 2026 WEC Premier Equitation Cup Championship. “I was so excited to start the year off strong with a win in the WEC Premier Cup,” she said. “Monte went fabulously and I couldn’t be more grateful for the team at Ashland Farm for having me so well prepared for a class like that. I’m feeling so honored to have received a prize like a car!”
Parker’s success in the equitation ring in 2025 earned her the Kip Rosenthal Award, which is presented to the Junior rider who accumulates the most equitation points for the year at the national equitation finals. “It was an incredible honor to win the Kip Rosenthal Award. The award represents consistency and dedication, and it means so much to have my name added to a list of riders who have also had a lot of success in the equitation,” Parker said.
Back in the hunter ring, Parker made her debut at Junior Hunter Finals aboard Emma Vandenhouten’s Verified and Meaningful. “This was my first year competing at this final, but I knew both horses were very experienced. Although I had only shown them once before, I felt confident going in. I knew they would do their job and perform to the best of their abilities. I just had to do the same,” she said. “I was so happy to be able to deliver a championship aboard Verified for Emma and her trainer Kelley Farmer.”
For Parker, her success last year was about more than the placings; it was about the journey. “Those big moments were the outcome of years of hard work, patience and learning how to be a better rider and partner. The successes validated the process and people behind me—my trainers, owners and horses who made it possible,” Parker said. “They reminded me that the work you do every day matters, even when no one is watching, and that’s what made those results so meaningful to me.”
College Bound
A virtual student at the United States Performance Academy, Parker has been able to maintain flexibility while attending school and managing her competition schedule. “It definitely has taught me time management to juggle school, horses and my other activities. I try to stay organized by keeping a schedule and prioritizing what needs to get done each day,” she said. “Balancing everything can be challenging, but I think it has taught me responsibility and is helping set me up for the future.”
As Parker wraps up her senior year of high school virtually, she’s looking forward to making the move to Alabama and joining the Auburn equestrian team this fall. Parker will be able to put her many years of catch-riding experience to good use when she becomes an Auburn Tiger.
“I’ve been fortunate to have been able to catch ride a lot of different horses. I love having the opportunity to work with all different types of horses and learn each one’s personality, style and strengths,” she said. “When riding other horses, I try to adjust myself to what the horse needs, rather than changing the horse to meet my style of riding. I try to change my style of riding to bring out the horse’s strengths.”
Parker is eager to ride a variety of horses in college, and even more eager to join a close‑knit competitive team. In fact, she’s always wanted to ride in college so she could continue to grow as a student in the classroom and the saddle.
“I chose Auburn because of its strong equestrian program, incredible coaches and strong team environment. Academically, I’m planning to study business, which I’m really passionate about, and looking forward to exploring further in college,” she said. “I’m really excited to combine my love for riding with my academic goals and be part of a team that pushes each other to succeed.”
Parker hopes to draw on the foundations that have shaped her as she begins her team journey at Auburn. “It’s important to trust your team and always striving to improve and do your best. Most importantly, you have to remember to celebrate the highs, learn from the lows and enjoy the ride,” she said.
Parker believes success isn’t about control. Rather, it’s about listening, adapting and earning trust. “Those lessons have shaped how I handle challenges, relationships and pressure both in and out of the ring,” she said.
They will also serve Parker well in her current career of choice: being a lawyer. “My dream is to live a balanced, fulfilling life where I can continue to chase my dreams in horses and law,” Parker said.
Until then, she plans on continuing to improve as a rider aboard her Jakilly, VDL Cagaro, Ashland Farms’ Montverdi and whatever catch rides come her way. “I will keep pushing myself to be the best I can while competing at the highest level while building strong relationships with each horse I have the opportunity to work with,” she said.
Follow Parker on Instagram @parkerlpeacock
Photos by Melissa Fuller, melissafullerphotography33.mypixieset.com
Sign up for our mailing list to stay up to date with all things Sidelines!
